20 Weeks

20 Weeks
Originally uploaded by kelvin and chia yen

Fetal development - 20 weeks pregnant
Written for BabyCenter Australia
Approved by the BabyCenter Australia Medical Advisory Board

Your baby measures about 6.5 inches/ 16.5 centimetres from crown to rump and is steadily gaining weight. A whitish coat of a slick, fatty substance called vernix caseosa begins to cover your baby and protects the skin during its long immersion in amniotic fluid. It also eases delivery. The baby's swallowing more this week, good practice for the digestive system. After your baby takes in amniotic fluid, his body absorbs the water in the liquid and moves the rest into the large bowel.

Ok. Here's me, trying to hold on to the heavy tummy. I was a real monster over the weekend, feeling hungry perpetually, so I think I literally ate up everything in sight. We were blessed with a really good seafood buffet dinner at the Versace Hotel and that dinner came in at the right time to feed the hungry monster. And oh! We went for a detailed Morphology Scan on Friday. Bub's growth is great, and we were amazed at how detailed things could get, from specific measurements of everything body parts (internal and external) you can think of, we could even see the blood circulation. There were 3D pictures of the face plus we got to take home a DVD of the whole entire session. As many would guess from both Kel and my active (for me, was the past!) nature, the little one was wriggling, somersaulting, waving, flipping for the whole entire time. It sure frustrated the sonographer who was trying so hard to get detailed measurements of everything. I had to flip from left to right to get the bub to move to right positions, and even had to walk up and down the stairs to get bub to the right places too. I laid on the bed for scan till i got nauseas and giddy, breaking out with cold sweat. End of the session, I was dead beat and fell asleep on the bed as I was waiting for the report to be printed out! But verdict: It was all worthwhile, we were thrilled to see our dancing little one (oh God please let her get the dad's sense of rhythm) and she revealed her gender to us too. (though there could be still a small teeny weeny chance that the scan be inaccurate). So yes, we've got a little bubby princess in the making :)

On another note, I am so thankful that the morning (all day) sickness has subsided. Though backaches and other strains come alongside with the growth of the bump, at least most other things can almost go back to normal. Ministry is a lot easier when you are not wanting to throw up in front of people. It is not as emotional draining to try to focus on different things and I cook most of the meals now. One new adjustment I had to make! I keep forgetting of the weight I am carrying and often get carried away jumping up and down during praise and worship and on Sunday, I almost felt like the bump was going to drop!

Other than that, Thank God, things have been great. He has really been looking after us and Kel has been a real sweet one too!